Cuzco

Cusco is a city of 450.000 citizens and sits at an altitude of 3400 meters.

This old capital of the Inca's thrives on the hordes of tourists that use it as their major hub to the Inca sites, in particular world famous Machu Picchu.

Many townfolk try to make a living of the tourists, be it in the hotel and restaurant business or, for a few Soles, posing in native costumes for the camera.

Most non-Inca attractions are located around Plaza de Armas, where the Cusco Cathedral is rivalled by the Iglesia de la Compania, build by the Jesuits in 1576.

Watch for the nice wooden balconies for which Cusco is famous.

We visited Cuzco in June 2008, the high altitude did caused us some trouble but coca tea and leaves helped.